aldana ferrer garcia's window module offers 'more sky' to city dwellers

dubai design week’s global grad show: aldana ferrer garcia presents ‘more sky’
images courtesy of aldana ferrer garcia

among the host of creative initiatives presented at the inaugural dubai design week, the ‘global grad show’ is a truly unprecedented platform to see the most innovative projects from the world’s leading design schools under one roof. the expansive exhibition, curated by brendan mcgetrick, is housed within the dubai design district, spotlighting 50 projects from 10 universities under 6 themes: construction, health, home, memory, play and work.

hailing from new york’s prestigious pratt institute, argentinian architect aldana ferrer garcia exhibits her thesis project ‘more sky’, an experiment in expanding and rethinking the limits of assumed architectural space.

‘hopper niche’ provides a space for people to recline and enjoy exterior views

born from an ambition to provide a healthier and more comfortable living experience for inhabitants of urban areas, ‘more sky’ is a replacement window system that reconnects city dwellers with natural elements. primarily designed for brooklyn’s construction and regulations — but able to be adapted to locations across the globe — the project replaces existing window niches. an expandable structure slides outward to provide additional views of the surrounding landscape. three configurations each provide a cozy corner for visual relief, access to sunlight, and fresh air. when in use, the module creates a temporary sunroom, or a space to relax, read and meditate.

‘awning niche’ offers users more space to look out at the surrounding environment

at the threshold between industrial design and architecture, ‘more sky’ stretches the boundaries of typical apartment spaces to suggest a solution to the constraints of dense city living. with an accordion-style construction, the ‘casement niche’, ‘awning niche’ and ‘hopper niche’ provide essential access to light, nature and air that is ordinarily obstructed from view. for urbanites and metropolis dwellers, the moving module reestablishes a relationship with the outside world, in turn reshaping the connection with the world around us.

users can rest on the window module and view more of the outside environment than is usually allowed

the ‘casement niche’ offers a cozy seating area for those resting inside

the niche allows inside dwellers to take in the landscape with a panoramic point of view

the application of ‘hopper niche’ within an ordinary home

the project has been primarily designed for brooklyn’s construction and regulations 

a view upwards illustrates the greater depth of sky observable from through the window

model of the ‘awning niche’ presented at the global grad show during dubai design week
image © designboom

a maquette shows the accordion-style construction of the window system
image © designboom

the window systems offer ‘more sky’ for urban city dwellers
image © designboom

the three construction variations are presented side-by-side in the exhibit
image © designboom

sketches indicate the idea of creating a window nook within the home

 
the opening sequences show the ways in which the window systems can be used

models and sketches indicate the design development process

about dubai design week

the establishment of the dubai design week provides a platform for international design weeks to bring established and emerging brands to a new audience. dubai design week will also provide an opportunity for the MENASA countries to demonstrate their design talent within the dubai design district (D3), for ground-breaking installations to highlight many of the iconic buildings and locations within dubai and to promote design education through a program of talks, discussions and workshops.

about the dubai design district (D3)

dubai design district (D3) is dedicated to fostering the growth of the emirate’s design, fashion, art, and luxury industry. it offers businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals a creative community that will be at the very heart of the region’s design scene. D3 is a purpose built environment catering to the full value chain of the design, fashion and luxury industry, all with the vision of creating a world class creative community that engages, nurtures and promotes local, regional and global design talent.